Advanced Structural Engineering MSc



Develop skills in design and assessment of engineering structures subject to seismic, extreme loading and environmental conditions

Overview

Accredited by relevant professional bodies and designed to meet the needs of the modern construction industry, this course offers a wide range of structural engineering principles as you learn about issues relating to steel and concrete structures and foundations.

Typical entry points to this course are in January and September. Please enquire for more information.

Queensferry Crossing with student

Mode of Study:

Part-time (available as Full-time)

Duration:

2-3 years

Start date:

JanSep

Civil Engineering staff list

Get in touch with programme leaders, lecturers and researchers.

Course details

Through this highly technical course you will develop skills in numerical simulation using a variety of advanced software.

You will also learn failure analysis methods, the eurocodes and the code of practice for the design of various construction materials, research skills and the legal issues surrounding construction.

The course is accredited by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) and the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT).

Industry practitioners are regularly invited as guest speakers and lecturers.

Modules

  • Advanced mechanics of materials and FEA
  • Advanced structural concrete
  • Advanced structural steel design
  • Timber engineering
  • Geotechnical earthquake and offshore engineering 
  • Structural dynamics and earthquake design
  • MSc thesis
  • calendar

    How you’ll be taught

    This is a flexible part-time course starting in September or January. Normally students will take two years to complete the programme but this can vary depending on your other commitments and availability. Many part-time students undertake projects in their place of work.

    The main approach is face-to-face lectures and tutorial. In addition to this, computer labs are used to teach engineering software and structural laboratory will be used to conduct small to large-scale structural test. You will also undertake independent learning and research.  
  • note and pen

    Assessments

     Your performance will be assessed by course work, assignments, laboratory reports and final examination.
  • library

    Facilities

    Heavy structural lab at Merchiston allows to conduct small to large scale structural engineering tests. Computer suites supports students to use different finite element based software to analyse and design structures.

ACCREDITED BY

This degree is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) comprising of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Institute of Highway Engineers, the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and the Permanent Way Institution on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the academic requirement for Further Learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng). To hold accredited qualifications for CEng registration, candidates must also hold a Bachelor (Hons) degree that has been accredited as partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

See www.jbm.org.uk for further information.

*It should be noted that candidates completing the MSc who hold an underpinning accredited Bachelor degree accredited for IEng only or a non-accredited bachelor degree will need to apply for an academic assessment to determine whether they will meet the educational base for CEng registration.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Advanced Structural Engineering?

The entry requirement for this course is a 2:2 or above for a Bachelor (Honours) Degree within the Civil Engineering discipline.

We may also consider lesser qualifications if you have sufficient relevant work experience within the industry.

The University does not sponsor students to study on part-time programmes in the UK under the Student Visa route. International Applicants must therefore have other valid immigration leave to study on this programme.

Can I get admission into Advanced Structural Engineering based on my working experience in this sector?

This course has academic entry requirements which are assessed alongside relevant work experience. Full details of any relevant work experience, including references should be submitted with your application and may be considered for entry where the minimum academic entry requirements are below those required.

Usually, unrelated work experience is not considered sufficient for entry without meeting the minimum academic entry requirements. Please contact us with your specific circumstances by submitting an enquiry form above and we will be happy to discuss your options.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the postgraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2024/25 2025/26
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland-Taught modules *£1,105 *£1,160
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland-60credit Dissertation module £650 £690
Overseas and EU-Taught modules £3,050 £3,205
Overseas and EU-Dissertation module £2,095 £2,200

Fees for modules are calculated according to the number of credits (multiples of 20). The rate shown in the table is for 20 credits*. The total fee you will pay is dependant upon the exit award you wish to achieve.

Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding

The University offers a 20% discount on Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. The discount can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount. For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount. Please read our full T&C here

Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Please note:

The discount for Edinburgh Napier alumni can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount.

For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount.

Please read our full T&C here
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Careers

What can you do with a MSc Advanced Structural Engineering degree?

The MSc Advanced Structural Engineering degree at Edinburgh Napier University provides in-depth, specialized knowledge in the field of structural engineering. Holding this degree can open up opportunities for various positions with increased responsibilities and salary potential, including:

  • Structural Engineer
  • Transport (bridge design) Engineer
  • Construction Supervisor
  • Oil and Refinery/offshore Engineer

You will have the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research projects, allowing you to contribute to the advancement of the field while gaining valuable research experience, so you can continue in the field of research. You will develop proficiency in analyzing complex structural systems using advanced computational methods and software tools. You will also develop project management skills necessary for planning, coordinating, and executing structural engineering projects effectively. This includes budgeting, scheduling, resource allocation, and communication with stakeholders.

What does an Structural Engineer do?

The daily responsibilities of a structural engineer can vary depending on their specific role, industry, and project requirements. You may often spend time designing and analyzing various structural systems, including buildings, bridges, dams, and other infrastructure projects. This involves using specialized software tools to perform calculations, simulations, and finite element analysis to ensure that structures meet safety, performance, and durability requirements.

You will typically work closely with architects, contractors, project managers, and other professionals involved in the design and construction process. You will review architectural plans, engineering drawings, and construction specifications to ensure compliance with building codes, regulations, and industry standards.

As a structural engineer, you will play a critical role in the design, construction, and maintenance of safe and resilient structures that withstand various environmental, seismic, and loading conditions. Their daily tasks involve a combination of technical analysis, collaboration, project management, and quality assurance activities to deliver successful engineering projects.

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